Plunger device with a plumbing auger attachment

ABSTRACT

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a plunger device for clearing a clog from drain. The plunger device includes a handle, a plunger cup, and an auger attachment. The handle has a shaft removably connected to the plunger cup at the top of the cup, and the auger attachment is also releasably connected to the plunger cup at the bottom of the cup. The auger attachment extends beyond the rim and cup body of the plunger cup so that the auger attachment is mechanically inserted into the drain. The auger attachment is formed of a stronger material than the plunger cup. The push and pull of the handle creates the air pressure and vacuum action of the plunger cup to clear the clog. Also, the action creates the boring and retraction action of the auger attachment against the clog in the drain.

RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a plunger device to clear clogs in a toilet or other plumbing drain. In particular, the present invention relates to a plunger device with a plumbing auger attachment for extension into the toilet drain.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98.

Clogged toilet drains can lead to messy and embarrassing situations. Depending upon the severity of the clog, there are a variety of mechanical implements that can be used to clear toilet drains. Typically stored near the toilet, a plunger is the most common tool used to unclog a toilet. The plunger includes a shaft and a rubber cup at one end of the shaft. The free end of the shaft is the handle, used to place the plunger into position. The cup is positioned to cover the toilet drain within in the bowl of the toilet and in the water. Using the handle, the cup is pushed towards the drain. Air in the cup is forced into the drain to break the clog, while the cup is flattened. Using the handle again, the cup is pulled into its original shape, causing a vacuum. The vacuum also acts to loosen or break the clog. The air push and the vacuum pull work to clear the clog or other blockage in the drain. The plunger can be used on other drains besides a toilet drain, such as a sink drain or bath tub drain.

Another mechanical implement is the toilet snake or plumber's snake. This device is a flexible coil with an auger end, which is inserted into the toilet drain to physically contact and displace the clog or blockage. The plumber's snake normally includes a coiled metal wire with an auger end and a crank attached to the metal wire. The crank rotates the metal wire as the plumber's snake enters the drain. The auger end has screw threads for boring into a clog. The combination of the rotation of the wire and the boring action of the auger end results in clearing a clog or blockage. There is the corkscrew action of the auger end to dig into the clog. The clog can be pulled out of the drain with the auger end anchored into the clog. There is the rupture of the clog with the snake drilling through the blockage, allowing some fluid to pass through the clog to break down the clog. Additionally, the mechanical action of rubbing the auger end and the coil against the blockage loosens and breaks the clog.

The plunger is not always effective against all clogs, especially more serious clogs and blockages. The plumber's snake is usually reserved for particularly difficult clogs, and there are professional services with technically advanced and strongly powered versions of the plumber's snake. These advanced services are costly and disruptive. There is a need for another type of device to be effective against clogs that cannot be cleared by the prior art plunger, while being more easy to use, efficient and less costly than the plumber's snake.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an embodiment of the plunger device with plumbing auger attachment.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an embodiment of the plunger device with plumbing auger attachment to clear a clog with air pressure.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an embodiment of the plunger device with plumbing auger attachment to clear a clog with vacuum pressure.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an embodiment of the plunger device with plumbing auger attachment to clear a clog with physical contact by the auger attachment.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an embodiment of the plunger device with a plumbing auger attachment fixedly and securely connected to the plunger device.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an embodiment of the plunger device with a plumbing auger attachment removable connected to the plunger device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an embodiment of the plunger device with a plumbing auger attachment, wherein the auger attachment is able to be separately cleaned and stored.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an embodiment of the plunger device with plumbing auger attachment, wherein the material strength of the auger attachment is different from the material strength of the cup of the plunger device.

These and other objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specifications and appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention is a plunger device for clearing a clog from a drain. The plunger device includes a handle with a shaft, a plunger cup formed by a cup body and a rim, and an auger attachment releasably connected to the plunger cup. The shaft of the handle has a threaded end and a gripping end, and the plunger cup releasably attaches to the handle at the threaded end. The plunger cup, including the cup body and rim and made integral and formed of a first material. The auger attachment is mounted on a bottom side of the plunger cup and extends through the cup body and beyond the rim of the plunger cup.

The auger attachment is formed of a second material, which is stronger and less flexible than the first material of the plunger cup. The auger attachment can be textured, threaded, coiled, flexibly jointed and/or covered in protrusions. The auger attachment has an attachment end with a connector piece and a boring end with an inserter for extending into the drain. The inserter can have an extension element to reach deep into the drain and an auger tip for drilling into the clog or blockage. The extension element is flexible for bending with contours of the drain and durable for physically contacting, penetrating, and scraping the clog or blockage from the drain.

For removable attachment, the plunger cup has a first engager to connect to the handle. The first engager is also made integral and formed of the first material, just as the cup body and rim. The handle can be snap-fit or screw-threaded into the first engager with a complementary threaded end of the shaft. The plunger cup has a second engager to connect to the auger attachment. The second engager is also made integral and formed of the first material. The auger attachment can also be releasable attached to the second engager, by snap-fit or screw-threaded or other means, with a complementary structure, such as the connector piece.

A method of clearing a clog using an embodiment of the present invention includes positioning the plunger device against the drain, inserting the auger attachment into the drain, covering an opening of the drain with the cup body so as to form a seal around the drain, pushing the handle so as to deform the cup body from an original shape and to push air in the cup body into the drain, pulling the handle away from the drain so as to return the cup body to the original shape and to vacuum fluid into the cup body from the drain, concurrently driving the auger attachment back and forth through the drain corresponding to movement of the handle, and repeating the steps of pushing and pulling the handle until the clog is cleared from the drain. The plunger cup action and the auger attachment action both work to clear the clog. The plunger cup, handle, and auger attachment are detachable for cleaning and storage after use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the plunger device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the plunger device of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevation view of the plunger cup and auger attachment of an embodiment of the plunger device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the plunger cup and auger attachment of the embodiment of the plunger device of the present invention as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is another exploded cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the plunger device of the present invention, showing another embodiment of an auger attachment.

FIG. 6 is still another exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the plunger device of the present invention as shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the plunger device 10 of the present invention. The plunger device 10 includes a handle means 12. The handle means 12 has a shaft 14 with a threaded end 16 and a gripping end (not shown). The gripping end is opposite the threaded end 16, and a user holds the gripping end to position and move the plunger device 10. The plunger device also has a plunger cup means 20 releasably attached to the handle means 12 at the threaded end 16. The plunger cup means 20 has a rim 22 and cup body 24. These components, the rim 22 and the cup body 24 are made integral with a first material for both. The rim 22 forms the seal on the opening of the drain for the use of pressure to clear the blockage in the drain. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the cup body 24 extending beyond the rim 22. Other variations of the cup body 24 and rim 22 are also compatible with the present invention. The threaded end 16 is screw-threaded into the plunger cup means 20 for attaching and detaching. The plunger cup means 20 contacts the toilet water and the drain. The plunger cup means 20 can be detached for separate cleaning from the handle means 12.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is also an auger attachment means 30 releasably connected to the plunger cup means 20. The auger attachment means 30 is mounted on a bottom side of the plunger cup means 20. FIG. 2 shows how the handle means 12 mounts on a top side of the plunger cup means 20, opposite from the auger attachment means 30. FIGS. 1 and 2 both show the auger attachment means 30 extending through the cup body 24 and beyond the rim 22 of the plunger cup means 20.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show enlarged views of the plunger cup means 20 as attached to the auger attachment means 30. FIGS. 3 and 4 show the plunger cup means 20 with a first engagement means 26 on the top side and a second engagement means 28 on a bottom side. The first engagement means 26 is removably connected to the handle means 12 (shown in FIG. 1, not FIGS. 3 and 4). One embodiment is threaded engagement between the plunger cup means 20 and the threaded end 16 of the handle means 12. The screw-fit relationship allows the handle means 12 to attach and detach according to the needs of the user. In other embodiments, there is snap-fit engagement between the plunger cup means 20 and the handle means 12 (not shown). The first engagement means 26 can snap-fit onto the handle means 20 or even be friction-fit for the removable connection. As shown in FIGS. 3-4, the first engagement means 26 is made integral with the cup body 24 and the rim 22. A first material forms these parts of the plunger cup means, such as rubber, plastic or other flexible and durable materials.

Additionally, there is a second engagement means 28 on the bottom side of the plunger cup means 20 for removably connecting the auger attachment means 30. The second engagement means 28 is positioned within the cup body 24 interior and usually positioned opposite the first engagement means 26. FIGS. 3 and 4 show the first engagement means 26 on a top side and a second engagement means 28 on the opposing bottom side of the plunger cup means 20. The second engagement means 28 is generally cylindrical and has a cavity for engaging the auger attachment means 30. One embodiment is threaded engagement between the plunger cup means 20 and the auger attachment means 30. The screw-fit relationship allows the auger attachment means 30 to attach and detach according to the needs of the user. In other embodiments, there is snap-fit or friction-fit engagement between the plunger cup means 20 and the auger attachment means 30, similar to variations between the handle means 12 and the plunger cup means 20. The second engagement means 28 can be snap-fit by the auger attachment means 30 or even be friction-fit for the removable connection. Similar to the first engagement means 26, the second engagement means 28 is made integral with the cup body 24 and the rim 22. The same first material forms this part of the plunger cup means 20 as well.

FIGS. 1-4 show enlarged and exploded views of embodiments of the auger attachment means 30 of the present invention. In all embodiments, the auger attachment means 30 is comprised of a second material, wherein the first material is more flexible than the second material. The difference in materials allows the plunger cup means 20 to be deformed and re-formed during the pushing and pulling of the handle means 12, while the auger attachment means 30 remains rigid and stable for penetrating and scraping the blockage in the drain. The rim 22 and cup body 24 can be made concave by pushing the handle means 12, without deforming the auger attachment means 30.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 show the auger attachment means 30 having an attachment end 32 and a boring end 34. The attachment end 32 is affixed to the plunger cup means 20, as shown in FIG. 4. The boring end 34 can be generally cylindrical, tapered or conical for drilling into a blockage. The boring end 34 may also be threaded, textured, or covered with protrusions for physically scraping and clearing the blockage in the drain. In any case, the boring end 34 must extend through the cup body 24 and beyond the rim 22. The reach of the auger attachment means 30 must be greater than the plunger cup means 20 in order to extending into the drain and contact the blockage. FIGS. 1-4 show an embodiment of the auger attachment means 30 as coiled wire 36, similar to materials suitable for a plumber's snake. This embodiment includes an auger attachment means 30 comprised of a connector piece 38 at the attachment end 32 and an insertion means 40 at the boring end 34. The connector piece 38 removably engages the plunger cup means 20. For example, the threads on the connector piece 38 can engage the second engagement means 28 of the plunger cup means 20. The connector piece 38 can be a male connector with compatibility with the second engagement means 28 as a female connector. There is a screw-fit attachment in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 but other removable attachments are also possible, such as snap-fit and friction-fit. The connector piece 38 is shown with a textured surface and conical shape. Other protrusions or threads on the surface may be useful to scrape blockage from the drain, if close enough to the connector piece 38.

The insertion means 40 of the embodiments of FIGS. 1-4 has an extension element 44 and an auger tip 46. The length of the extension element 44 allows the auger attachment 30 to extend through the cup body 24 and beyond the rim 22 and into the drain. The extension element 44 allows physical contact with the blockage in the drain. The extension element 44 can be flexible or even spring-like in order to extend into the drain and follow the contours of the drain and pipes. In the figures, the extension element 44 includes a friction-fit latch piece 42 for attaching the insertion means 40 to the connector piece 38. The latch piece 42 may be easier to reach and activate for the attachment of the auger attachment means 30. The difficulty of rotating and screwing the entire insertion means 40 is avoided by a quick snap action of the latch piece 42 onto an extended rim 48 of the connector piece 38.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an embodiment of the auger attachment means 130 with an extension element 144 comprised of a plurality of flexible joints. Extension elements 44, 144 may have textured surfaces, such as screw threads or coils, or other protrusions along the length of the extension element 44, 144. The length of the extension element 44, 144 is variable as long as the auger attachment means 30, 130 can reach the blockage in the drain. The extension elements 44, 144 physically contact the blockage in the drain and can be used to scrape away the blockage mechanically. The extension element 44, 144 is comprised of a different material, just as other parts of the auger attachment means 30, 130. The materials of the auger attachment 30, 130 have different flexibility than the first material of the plunger cup means 20. The advantages of the different materials are realized in all embodiments of the auger attachment means 30, 130.

FIG. 4 shows the extension element 44 having a respective auger tip 46. Various embodiments can be conical, threaded, textured, or covered with protrusions. Similar to the extension elements 44, 144, the auger tip 46 physically contacts the blockage in the drain and can be used to penetrate and bore through the blockage mechanically. A twisting action through the extension element 44, 144 can rotate the auger tip 46 for drilling action against a blockage to relieve fluid flow and ease the scraping action of the extension element 44, 144, which may or may not push through the blockage, depending upon the size of the blockage.

The plunger device of the present invention provides an inventive method of clearing a clog in a drain. The plunger device is positioned against the drain. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the plunger device 10 includes a handle 12 with a shaft 14, a plunger cup 20 with a rim 22 and cup body 24, and an auger attachment 30 comprised of a material different from the plunger cup 20. The auger attachment 30 is inserted into the drain into an original position within the drain, and the opening of the drain is covered with the cup body 24 so as to form a seal around the drain. The user pushes the handle 12 so as to deform the cup body 24 from an original shape and to push air in the cup body 24 into the drain. Also, the auger attachment 30 further inserts further into the drain beyond rim 22 and the cup body 24 and beyond the original position. The user pulls the handle 12 away from the drain so as to return the cup body 24 to the original shape and to vacuum fluid into the cup body 24 from the drain. Concurrently, the auger attachment 30 retracts to the original position. The steps of pushing and pulling the handle are repeated until the clog is cleared from the drain; then, the plunger device is released from the drain. The pushing and pulling creates the same effect on the blockage in the drain as a regular prior art plunger; however, the present invention further includes the auger attachment 30 for physically contacting the blockage to also mechanically remove the blockage.

The method further includes removable attachment of the handle 12 to the plunger cup 20. The handle has a shaft with a threaded end and a gripping end opposite the threaded end. The plunger cup has a first engager on a top side for releasably attaching to the handle at the threaded end. The handle can be attached in a snap-fit or screw-fit connection or other locking manner with the first engager of the plunger cup. The handle can be detached in the same manner after use. The handle and plunger cup can be stored and cleaned separately.

The method further includes removable attachment of the auger attachment 30 to the plunger body 20 on a bottom side of the plunger cup. The auger attachment can have an attachment end and a boring end. The plunger cup has a second engager on a bottom side for releasably attaching to the auger attachment at the attachment end. The auger attachment can be attached in a snap-fit or screw-fit connection or other locking manner with the second engager of the plunger cup. The auger attachment can be detached in the same manner after use. The auger attachment, handle and plunger cup can be stored and cleaned separately.

The method of the present invention further includes deforming the plunger cup without deforming the auger attachment. The plunger cup with the cup body, rim, first engager, and second engager is comprised of a first material, while the auger attachment is comprised of a second material. The first material is more flexible than the second material, so that the steps of pushing and pulling the handle by the user deform the plunger cup without deforming the auger attachment. Additionally, the extra rigidity of the auger attachment allows the boring end of the auger attachment to extend through the cup body and beyond the rim and into the drain to the original position so as to physically contact blockage in the drain. The mechanical contact of penetrating the blockage or drilling into the blockage clears the drain with the action of the auger attachment. When an embodiment of the auger attachment is comprised of a connector piece and an inserter, the inserter extends into the drain, while the connector piece removably attaches to the plunger cup. Attaching and detaching the connector piece from the plunger cup allows for separate cleaning and storage. The inserter may also be comprised of an extension element and an auger tip, such that the method of clearing the drain further comprises extending the extension element and auger tip into the drain to an original position so as to physically contact blockage in the drain and actuating the extension element and auger tip further into the drain by action of the handle to mechanically remove the blockage. The back and forth action of the inserter clears the blockage, in addition to the air pressure and vacuum of the plunger cup.

The embodiments of the present invention provide a plunger device with a plumbing auger attachment to clear a clog with air pressure and vacuum pressure. The plunger device also clears the clog by physical contact by the auger attachment. The mechanical action of the auger attachment scraping the blockage is concurrent with the pressure pumping. The plunger device can also be assembled and disassembled to allow for separate cleaning and storage of the individual parts. The handle can be separated from the plunger cup, and the auger attachment can also be separated from the plunger cup. Furthermore, the material strength of the auger attachment is different from the material strength of the cup of the plunger device, which enables effective dual action against the blockage in the drain. The plunger cup of the first material is sufficiently flexible to seal the opening of the drain, exert pressure against the blockage through the piper, and create a vacuum to further break the blockage. The auger attachment of the second material is stronger than the first material, such that the auger attachment is not deformed by the pushing and pulling action of the handle. The auger attachment can continue to mechanically remove the blockage without being affected by the force used to deform the plunger cup.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated structures, construction and method can be made without departing from the true spirit of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A plunger device comprising: a handle means comprised of shaft, said shaft having a threaded end and a gripping end opposite said threaded end; a plunger cup means releasably attached to said handle means at said threaded end, said plunger cup means being comprised of a rim and cup body, said rim and said cup body being made integral and being formed of a first material; and an auger attachment means releasably connected to said plunger cup means, said auger attachment means being mounted on a bottom side of said plunger cup means, said handle means being mounted on a top side of said plunger cup means, said auger attachment means extending through said cup body and beyond said rim of said plunger cup means.
 2. The plunger device according to claim 1, said plunger cup means further comprising a first engagement means on said top side of said plunger cup means, said first engagement means being removably connected to said handle means, and said first engagement means being made integral with said cup body and said rim and being formed of said first material
 3. The plunger device according to claim 2, said handle means being snap-fit into said plunger cup means by said threaded end attaching to said first engagement means.
 4. The plunger device according to claim 2, said handle means being in threaded engagement with said plunger cup means by said threaded end being screw-fit into said first engagement means.
 5. The plunger device according to claim 1, said plunger cup means further comprising a second engagement means on said bottom side of said plunger cup means, said second engagement means being removably connected to said auger attachment means, said second engagement means being within said cup body, said second engagement means being made integral with said cup body and said rim and being formed of said first material, and said second engagement means being generally cylindrical and having a cavity for engaging said auger attachment means.
 6. The plunger device according to claim 5, said auger attachment means being snap-fit into said plunger cup means by attaching to said second engagement means.
 7. The plunger device according to claim 5, said auger attachment means being in threaded engagement with said plunger cup means by being screw-fit into said second engagement means.
 8. The plunger device according to claim 1, said auger attachment means being comprised of a second material, said first material being more flexible than said second material.
 9. The plunger device according to claim 8, said auger attachment means having an attachment end and a boring end, said attachment end engaging said plunger cup means, said boring end being extended through said cup body and beyond said rim.
 10. The plunger device according to claim 1, said auger attachment means being comprised of a connector piece and an insertion means, said connector piece removably engaging said plunger cup means.
 11. The plunger device according to claim 10, said connector piece being at said attachment end, said insertion means being at said boring end, and said connector piece being removably connected to said second engagement means.
 12. The plunger device according to claim 11, said connector piece being screw-fit into said second engagement means.
 13. The plunger device according to claim 11, said connector piece being a male connector, said second engagement means being a female connector.
 14. The plunger device according to claim 11, said insertion means having an extension element and an auger tip, said extension element having a length so as to extend through said cup body and beyond said rim, said extension element being flexible.
 15. A method of clearing a clog in a drain, comprising the steps of: positioning a plunger device against said drain, said plunger device comprising a handle comprised of shaft, said shaft having a threaded end and a gripping end opposite said threaded end; a plunger cup releasably attached to said handle at said threaded end, said plunger cup being comprised of a rim and cup body, said rim and said cup body being made integral and being formed of a first material; and an auger attachment releasably connected to said plunger cup, said auger attachment means being mounted on a bottom side of said plunger cup, said handle being mounted on a top side of said plunger cup, said auger attachment extending through said cup body and beyond said rim of said plunger cup; inserting said auger attachment into said drain into an original position within said drain, said auger attachment being comprised of a second material, said second material being less flexible than said first material; covering an opening of said drain with said cup body so as to form a seal around said drain; pushing said handle so as to deform said cup body from an original shape and to push air in said cup body into said drain, said auger attachment being inserted further into said drain beyond said original position; pulling said handle away from said drain so as to return said cup body to said original shape and to vacuum fluid into said cup body from said drain, said auger attachment being retracted to said original position; repeating the steps of pushing and pulling said handle until said clog is cleared from said drain; and releasing said plunger device from said drain.
 16. The method of clearing a clog, according to claim 15, said plunger cup means further comprising a first engager on said top side of said plunger cup, said first engager being made integral with said cup body and said rim and being formed of said first material, the method further comprising the step of: removably connecting said first engager to said handle.
 17. The method of clearing a clog, according to claim 15, said plunger cup further comprising a second engager on said bottom side of said plunger cup, the method further comprising the step of: removably connecting said second engager to said auger attachment.
 18. The method of clearing a clog, according to claim 15, said auger attachment being comprised of a second material, said first material being more flexible than said second material, said step of pushing said handle further comprising: deforming said plunger cup without deforming said auger attachment.
 19. The method of clearing a clog, according to claim 15, said auger attachment having an attachment end and a boring end, said attachment end engaging said plunger cup, the method further comprising: extending said boring end through said cup body and beyond said rim and into said drain to said original position so as to physically contact blockage in said drain.
 20. The method of clearing a clog, according to claim 15, said connector piece being at said attachment end, said inserter being at said boring end, said inserter having an extension element and an auger tip, the method further comprising: extending said inserter into said drain to said original position so as to physically contact blockage in said drain. 